I am a former drug addict. But that’s my past. I have now started a new life thanks to Narconon Nepal Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center. I currently work as the head of administration of this center and have been away from drugs for more than five years. At times, I don’t want to even remember the old days. I understand that I have to move on now. Back in the days, my drug addiction brought nothing but sorrow, tears, failure, guilt, anger and pain to me and everyone around me.

I had completed by Masters’ degree, taught at colleges and worked at financial institutions. I even cleared the bank exams. My family was proud to see all this, but deep inside only I knew that I was a drug addict. I thought I could manage my life even with drugs, but things didn’t go as planned. I was unable to sleep due to the drugs. In a short time, I lost weight, and I couldn’t even carry on with my daily life. Mentally, I felt numb, and it was very difficult for me to take decisions. My behavior and wrong decisions caused a lot of pain to my family. My intellectual skills also waned as I couldn’t make the most of my education and experience.

I felt stupid and continued to push my life towards death and darkness. Luckily, I came to Narconon Nepal. My family did not know about the correctional center. Now they understand that a correctional center is for those who want to get rid of their addiction just like hospitals and clinics are for those who want to get rid of their ailments. My family selected the world famous Narconon method and admitted me to Narconon in Budhanilkantha.

Narconon centers are located in 42 places in the world. There are eight main stages in the Narconon program, developed by the American philosopher L Ron Howards. The first step is to handle learning problems and physical ailments. In the second stage, you read in depth why you should not take drugs. The third part of the six-month course covers how to control the body and the mind. The fourth deals with how to get rid of drugs; the fifth teaches how to recognize and leave bad friends, and the sixth deals with how to be honest and ethical. The seventh step is about how to study effectively and the eighth is on how to improve your life.

After completing the six-month course, you will have taken complete a three-month internship to practice returning to society. I completed the Narconon training well. I increased my ability to say no to drugs forever.

This is my new life and I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Narconon Center and my family for giving me a new life. I will not take drugs again in this life because a drug-free life is more fun, dignified and happy than one with drugs. I apologize to my family, society, workplace and country for my mistake. Now I have dedicated my new life to the task of giving new life to people in trouble.

Bishal Bhattarai is the head of administration at Narconon Nepal Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center